Means To Tragic Ends (oedipus :: essays research papers

Does troops re all in ally have free will, or does free will lie within a system of limitations that gradually compose a web of circumstantial fate that ultimately cannot be torn apart? The events in both Oedipus The King and Antigone controversially suggests that man ultimately chooses his own deeds and endures fate and the responsibilities for them. These events brought by fate ar unmistakably aggravated by certain characteristics within the characters. Oedipus, from Oedipus The King, Antigone, and Creon, both from Antigone take such flawed characteristics that lead to their sad ends.Oedipus possesses a multitude of characteristics, approximately of them common to other characters, but pride is exceptionally prevalent. This characteristic, which margins withutter arrogance, appears to be one of the dominant flaws that causes Oedipus&8217 tragic downfall. This is plainly established in the branch of the play in which he states &8220I Oedipus whom all men squawk the great. ( p11.8). This is streng thened by the Priest&8217s replies of &8220...Oedipus, Greatest in all men&8217s eyes, (p12.40) and &8220Noblest of men (p12.46).However, pride is not the only characteristic which contributes to Oedipus&8217 tragic end. There exists his temper, which is initially presented in the argument between Teiresias and himself. After Teiresias speaks the faithfulness as factual, Oedipus replies &8220Do you imagine you can always talk manage this, and live to laugh at it here later? (p26.367) and then soon after calls Teiresias a &8220fool (p29.433). His temper is also exposed whenhe threatens to banish or kill Creon after Creon&8217s attempted reasoning. Another contributing agent is his suspicion for others, this is evident where he questions Teiresias &8220Was this your own design or Creon&8217s? (p.27.377). He is falsely rationalizing that Teiresias is secretly plotting, in coalition with Creon, to overthrow him. Moreover, Oedipus has an disconsolate pursuit fo r the truth, which is demonstrated when he finally believes that he is the murderer and that Polybus was not his father. Nonetheless, he continues with his search with an extensive questioning of both his wife Jocasta and the messenger.Furthermore, Oedipus exhibits self-loathing and a desperation towards the end of the play. After the facts have been voiced, he desperately attempts to issue the evidence and states, &8220You said that he spoke of highway robbers who killed Laius. Now if he uses the equal number, it was not I who killed him. One man cannot be the same as many. But if he speaks of a man travelling alone, then clearly the burden of the guilt inclines towards me.